We explore the similarities and differences between the electric dipole studied in introductory physics and the purportedly equivalent elementary experiment in which the electric potential is measured on a conductive sheet as a current flows. The former is a three-dimensional electrostatic dipole while the latter is a two-dimensional steady-state dipole. In spite of these differences, and as shown in this work, the potentials due to these dipoles look very similar. This may be misleading to either students or unaware instructors.